Exploring Mothers’ Perspectives About Why Grandparents in Appalachia Give Their Grandchildren Cariogenic Foods and Beverages: A Qualitative Study

BackgroundDental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease. Past studies revealed that grandparents provide their grandchildren with cariogenic foods and beverages (eg, those with free sugars and/or modified starches). Qualitative research can help identify what drives this phenomenon.ObjectiveOur aim was to examine mothers’ explanations for why grandparents in north central and central Appalachia give their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages.DesignA qualitative study on children’s oral health in Pennsylvania and West Virginia from 2018 through 2020 was performed. In-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Qualitative data from interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then coded using NVivo. Data analysis for this study was performed using thematic analysis with iterative theme development.Participants/settingThe participants were 126 mothers of children aged 3-5 years from West Virginia (n = 66) and Pittsburgh, PA (n = 60).Main outcome measuresMothers’ perspectives about why grandparents give their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages were analyzed.ResultsIn the study sample, 85% of mothers (n = 107/126) named at least 1 of their children’s grandparents as a member of their social network responsible for their children’s oral health. From these interviews, 85% of mothers (n = 91/107) discussed that grandparents gave their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages. The mothers described the following 4 themes to explain why grandparents gave their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages: privilege of the grandparent role; responsibilities of the grandparent role; symbol of care and affection; and limited consideration or understanding of the detrimental impact.ConclusionsGrandparents play a role in giving their grandchildren cariogenic foods and beverages, which could potentially contribute to childhood caries. Research is needed to develop effective social interventions to help some grandparents understand the implications of a cariogenic diet on their grandchildren’s oral health and/or decrease their provision of cariogenic foods and beverages.     

In Vivo Comparison of MONOFIX,A Novel Barbed Suture with a Triangular Stopper,with Pre-existing Products in a Porcine Model

Study ObjectiveMONOFIX, a new absorbable barbed suture device, has a triangular stopper at the end to hold the suture to the tissue without hooking the looped end or knotting. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical strength and histologic features of MONOFIX with other barbed suture devices using a porcine model.DesignWell-designed, controlled trial without randomization.SettingAnimal laboratory in university hospital.SubjectsSixteen, 60-kg, mature female domestic pigs (skin closure group) and 5, 60-kg, mature female domestic pigs (fascial closure group).InterventionsIn the skin closure group, 3-0 MONOFIX versus 2 widely used 3-0 absorbable barbed sutures (3-0 V-Loc 180 or Stratafix). In the fascial closure group, 2-0 MONOFIX versus 1 widely used 2-0 absorbable barbed sutures (2-0 Stratafix).Measurements and Main ResultsIn the skin closure group, the biomechanical wound strength of skin sutured with size 3-0 MONOFIX, V-Loc 180, or Stratafix was evaluated by postoperative day assessment (days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28). In the fascial closure group, pigs underwent 2 paramedian incisions and were sutured with 2-0 MONOFIX or with 2-0 Stratafix to evaluate histologic reaction. At 6 weeks the tissues around the suture line were excised and microscopically evaluated. The biomechanical strength of the MONOFIX had similar tissue tensile strength compared with the control, regardless of postoperative day. In the fascial closure model, there was no significant difference in the average tissue reaction score between MONOFIX and Stratafix (1.2 ± .3 vs 1.3 ± .3, p = .478).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that MONOFIX has equivalent tensile strength and histologic reaction when compared with commonly used barbed suture devices. Accordingly, this preclinical study suggests that the use of MONOFIX is a safe alternative to other barbed suture devices.     

Replantation and Lengthening of a Lower Leg in a 7-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

Replantation of the lower leg has controversial indications, but it may be considered in carefully selected patients. Although the function of prosthetic lower legs has been improved in recent decades, leg salvage remains a laudable goal. We present the case of a 7-year-old child who sustained a traumatic amputation at the level of the middle tibia with loss of the middle portion of the lower leg. We performed successful replantation, and tibia lengthening was performed starting 10 days after replantation and lasted 6 months.     

Allicin Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Inhibition of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of allicin (ALC) on myocardial ischemia reperfusion (MI/R) injury in rats.MethodsThe model of MI/R injury in rats was induced by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (n = 10): sham group, MI/R injury group, and ALC precondition group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to examine the expression of cardiac troponin I, CK-MB, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-8 in the rats' serum. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the myocardial pathologic morphology. A physiological recorder was used to measure cardiac systolic and diastolic function. Western blot analysis was used for detecting the expression of p38 and p-p38 in myocardium. The content of malondialdehyde and the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in myocardium were examined by automatic analysis with the thiobarbituric acid chromogenic and dinitrobenzoic acid methods, respectively.ResultsALC can significantly decrease the expression of cardiac troponin I, CK-MB, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-8 in the serum and reduce the myocardial pathologic injury and the expression of malondialdehyde and p-p38 in myocardial tissue. Moreover, ALC can upregulate the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and improve myocardial systolic and diastolic function with no influence on the expression of p38.ConclusionALC can protect rats against MI/R injury by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. The mechanism is associated with alleviating the activation of p38 signaling.